Growing Up In Meriden

Behind Okkervil River's New Album

Take a tour of lead singer Will Sheff's childhood home town with a beautifully illustrated map by artist William Schaff and discover all the weird things – magic and mischief and bad movies on VHS – that inspired Okkervil River's new album, The Silver Gymnasium.

The Silver Gymnasium is inspired by the childhood memories of lead singer Will Sheff. He worked collaboratively with artist William Schaff on this illustrated map of his childhood home, Meriden, New Hampshire.

"Lido Pier" instrumental track by Okkervil River. Narration by Will Sheff. Photos courtesy of Will Sheff. Illustrations by William Schaff. Multimedia produced by Bob Boilen and Claire O'Neill. Design and development by Brian Boyer, Danny DeBelius, Christopher Groskopf and Alyson Hurt, July 15, 2013.